Tension is escalating in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, with concerns of a potential conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Experts warn of rising instability following the TPLF’s internal split and recent territorial disputes. Church leaders have yet to comment officially. Significant humanitarian implications are anticipated should violence recommence in this volatile area.
The situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has become increasingly unstable, with concerns raised about a potential resurgence of conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Reports indicate that experts are warning of imminent war, as various sources highlight a deterioration of civil order characterized by canceled flights in the area. Despite these warnings, Church leaders have not yet provided an official response to the escalating tensions.
Recent analyses, including a report by Reuters, detail ongoing instability in Tigray, exacerbated by a civil war that ended in November 2022, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. General Tsadkan Gebretensae, a vice president in the Tigray interim administration, has expressed fears that conflict could re-erupt at any moment between Ethiopia and Eritrea due to tensions stemming from a division within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The TPLF, which previously opposed the Ethiopian federal army, has fragmented into factions, one of which currently oversees Tigray with the approval of the federal government, while another faction opposes it. This split is raising alarm about the possibility of renewed violence, particularly after the dissident faction captured the town of Adigrat and important facilities in the regional capital, Mekelle.
Getachew Reda, head of Tigray’s interim administration, has called for support from the Ethiopian government against these dissidents, alleging that their actions endanger Tigray’s interests. Reda has also pointed fingers at Eritrea, suggesting that outside forces may seek to exploit the turmoil in Tigray. He voiced concerns about the potential for the Tigray populace to become unintended victims of renewed hostilities.
Reuters has suggested that further conflict in Tigray could seriously undermine the peace processes initiated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his efforts. A new outbreak of violence would have dire humanitarian implications, not only for Tigray but also for the entire Horn of Africa region, which is already embroiled in crises from ongoing conflicts and aid shortages.
In summary, the Tigray region of Ethiopia faces a precarious situation, where the fear of renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea looms large. Division within the TPLF and external influences may further complicate the dynamics, with echoes of past violence threatening to repeat. The international community watches closely, as rekindled hostilities could herald a humanitarian disaster, jeopardizing recent peace efforts and exacerbating regional instability.
Original Source: www.catholicnewsagency.com
